Adam Pavlacka


63 games reviewed
76.6 average score
80 median score
60.3% of games recommended
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8.5 / 10.0 - Watch Dogs
May 27, 2014

Ultimately, Watch Dogs feels a lot like what you'd get if you asked the Assassin's Creed team to make a game in a similar vein as Deus Ex: Human Revolution. While it doesn't quite hit the high points that Deus Ex does, Watch Dogs smartly combines elements of the two franchises into something that's certainly worth playing.

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9 / 10.0 - Forza Horizon 2
Sep 30, 2014

Forza Horizon 2 may not break new ground, but it excels at what it does due to a high level of polish and a laser focus on fun. Whether you want to play for five minutes or five hours, the game has something to offer. Who cares if the premise borders on the absurd? If you want to race, this is the game get.

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Oct 20, 2014

When "Fantasia" first premiered in theaters in 1940, the film was a celebration of both music and visual artistry. Fantasia: Music Evolved continues that concept, with the added twist of making it all interactive. If there's a "must-have" game for the Kinect, this is it.

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Nov 12, 2014

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare is the video game equivalent of a Michael Bay movie. There's a lot of flash and not much substance. If you just want explosions and spectacle (and don't mind being penalized in multiplayer for having a fast connection), then grab the disc and pop it into your console because Advanced Warfare delivers those in spades.

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Nov 19, 2014

With all of its improvements, LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham is easily the best LEGO Batman game, but it doesn't quite take the crown for best overall LEGO game. LEGO: The Hobbit is still more impressive as an overall experience, as the sprawling open world seamlessly integrated the story and side-quests in a way that Beyond Gotham can't match. However, Beyond Gotham is most like LEGO Marvel Super Heroes in terms of overall experience, and that's not bad company.

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9 / 10.0 - Far Cry 4
Nov 24, 2014

Far Cry 4 excels because it provides the depth that so many other shooters lack. It is not revolutionary, and it doesn't push the boundaries of the genre, but you know what? Far Cry 4 knows that in the end, all players want to do is "shoot some goddamn guns" and have fun doing it. Far Cry 4 delivers that in spades.

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Mar 17, 2015

In the end, Battlefield: Hardline is its own worst enemy. There are some great ideas here, but they aren't fully realized, and the game suffers for it. It's not a bad game, but it's also not an exceptional game. Battlefield: Hardline does an excellent job of being downright average. You probably don't want to pay full price for it, but it's one to keep on your radar when a good sale pops up.

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Judged as a stand-alone budget title, Forza Horizon 2 Presents Fast & Furious is surprisingly robust and worth playing. As a piece of Forza Horizon 2 DLC, it's a harder call. If you download the game before April 10 (while it is available for free), it's a no-brainer. Don't hesitate; just get it and enjoy. Once the price bumps back up to $10, the decision comes down to your ownership of Forza Horizon 2 and the "Furious 7" Car Pack. If you already own the car pack, buying this is going to feel like double-dipping on the content.

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Apr 13, 2015

Ori and the Blind Forest had the potential to be a game that appealed to all gamers, casual and hardcore alike. Unfortunately, the difficulty spikes (and the aforementioned bugs) keep this one solely in the realm of core gamers and speed runners. While it's still a good game, it seems silly to limit its audience unnecessarily. Perhaps Moon Studios will hit perfection in its sophomore outing.

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7.5 / 10.0 - Massive Chalice
Jun 2, 2015

Taken as a whole, Massive Chalice is basically tactical strategy "lite." It is easy to pick up and play, and there are enough varied elements to keep veterans of the genre interested, but it doesn't break any new ground. If it were a $60 game, Massive Chalice wouldn't hold up, but as a $20 game, it fits the bill nicely. This isn't a title that is going to compete head-to-head with the next XCOM, but it is a good way to pass the time while you wait for XCOM 2.

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8.5 / 10.0 - Heroes of the Storm
Jun 11, 2015

A competitive, online-only game is a difficult thing to design, as it is as much reliant on an active player base as it is on the game. With Heroes of the Storm, Blizzard seems to have succeeded on both fronts. The game is appealing to both casual and hardcore players, seamlessly splitting them into different player groups. If you've never given a MOBA a try, Heroes of the Storm is the perfect entry point.

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6.5 / 10.0 - LEGO Jurassic World
Jun 24, 2015

When all is said and done, LEGO Jurassic World is still going to appeal to fans of the LEGO franchise, but it's not going to impress them. This is a by-the-numbers game that doesn't bring anything new to the table. Unless you've played through all of the other LEGO games or are a massive dinosaur fan, there is no reason to buy LEGO Jurassic World at full price. Wait for a sale on this one, and save your pennies for LEGO Dimensions.

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8.5 / 10.0 - Rare Replay
Aug 5, 2015

Ultimately, Rare Replay is a must-buy title if you have even a passing interest in a handful of the included games. While the technical issues prevent it from being an ideal collection, the value justification is impossible to ignore. The majority of these games are great choices, and at an average price of $1 a game (even less if you get it on sale), you're not really missing out even if you end up not liking a few.

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Aug 31, 2015

It may not be perfect, but Gears of War: Ultimate Edition is certainly a game worth playing. There is plenty of value to be had, no matter if you are a Gears fanatic or someone who is brand new to the series. Just make sure to experience it with a friend at your side.

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8.6 / 10.0 - Forza Motorsport 6
Sep 15, 2015

When it comes right down to it, Forza Motorsport 6 is a big improvement over Forza 5 and a must-have for driving simulation fans. Winning races here is all about precision and timing. If you want to showboat, stick with Forza Horizon 2. If you prefer pure skill over splashy moves, Forza 6 is your game.

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8 / 10.0 - Rock Band 4
Oct 5, 2015

In the end, Rock Band 4 offers up plenty of fun, especially if you can regularly gather a group of friends. It's an excellent party game and an enjoyable way to pass the time solo. However, it isn't really an upgrade from Rock Band 3. Rather, Rock Band 4 is more like a straightforward HD update for the current generation of systems.

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Oct 16, 2015

If you're a hardcore fan of the Blue Bomber and don't otherwise have access to the games, the Mega Man Legacy Collection is a convenient way to replay these Capcom classics, but as a collection, it doesn't compare to Rare Replay or even the last-gen SEGA Vintage Collection games that were put together by M2.

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8.9 / 10.0 - Halo 5: Guardians
Nov 5, 2015

Halo 5's single-player campaign is fun, but the game is at its best when you're coordinating with others and attacking objectives as a team.

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Nov 10, 2015

As an adventure game, Rise of the Tomb Raider is up there with the best of them. The story feels like something right out of Indiana Jones, and the game nails the atmosphere that you'd expect from a Tomb Raider game. It's easy to see why Microsoft paid for time limited exclusivity with this one; the game really is that good. Even with the problematic melee combat, Rise of the Tomb Raider is a system seller.

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If you didn't like Rise of the Tomb Raider, the Baba Yaga DLC isn't going to change your mind, but fans of the base game will find plenty to love here. The content is finely polished, the additional rewards are worthwhile, and the story fits in well with the world, even if the finer bits are a tad predictable. The Baba Yaga DLC is also priced right, retailing for $9.99 when purchased by itself, ensuring that you'll get your money's worth with this one.

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